Electro-mechanical switch



April 30, 1963 s. s. FISHMAN ELECTROMECHANICAL swn'cn Filed May 24, 1960Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEIYTOR. Sherman S. F lshman April 30, 1963 s. s.FISHMAN 3,088,003

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH Filed May 24, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.Sherman S. F :shman ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH Filed May 24, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 3 73 W W F i g. /8 F i g., /9

INVEN Sherman S. Fis an 7 United States Patent 3,088,003ELEETRO-MECHANICAL SWlTCl-I Sherman S. Fishnian, Pd). Box 321, SanFrancisco, Calif. Filed May 24, 1960, Ser. No. 31,311 Claims. (Cl.20tl33) The present invention relates to electro-mechanical switches ofthe type having multiple particulate metallic circuit closers forcontrolling the flow of electric current. This device has the advantageof reliable performance at very low temperatures such as operation in aliquidnitrogen bath. It also has good operating characteristics attemperatures above the boiling point of mercury. This invention is animprovement on my electric switch U.S. Patent 2,935,579, dated May 3,1960.

The object of my invention is to provide a switch which will operatequietly due to the use of gravity to place the metal particulate circuitclosers in the proper position thereby allowing current to flow withoutbeing rendered inoperable due to extremely high or low temperatureenvironments.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the followingspecification and claims. In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is aperspective of the switch and switch housing; FIG. 2 is an elevationpartly in section of one embodiment of my switch in the off position;FIG. 3 is a schematic elevation of portions of my switch in the onposition; FIG. 4 is a cross section of my switch taken along lines l- 1of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a cross section of a portion of the switch takenalong lines 55 of FIG. 4; FIG. 5a is a partial cross section along lines5a-5a of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is an elevation of another embodiment of myswitch; FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along lines 77 of FIG. 6; FIG. 8is a cross sectional elevation taken along lines 88 of FIG. 7 showingthe switch in the oil position; FIG. 9 is a cross sectional elevation ofmy switch in the on position; FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view takenalong lines 10-40 of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a modifiedform of the switch; FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross sectional view ofthe same modification shown in the on position; FIG. 13 is alongitudinal cross sectional view showing another modification in the onposition; FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross section of another modifiedform shown in the on position; FIG. 15 is a cross sectional elevation ofthe switching assembly taken generally along lines 1515 of FIG. 14showing the switch mechanism schematically; FIG. 16 is a cross sectionalview in the oil position of a modified form of the switch element; FIG.17 is an enlarged view of the metal particulate switching elements; FIG.18 is an enlarged view of another type of metal particulates; FIG. 19 isan enlarged View of yet another type of metal particulates.

Referring in detail to the drawings in which the same referencecharacters indicate like elements in the different views, FIG. 1 shows ahousing assembly comprising a case 15 having contact plates 5a and 5bwith a toggle finger 14 projecting through an aperture in the mountingstrap 16; FIG. 2 shows the switch assembly of FIG. 3 assembled insidethe case '15; FIG. 3 shows the switch assembly comprising a lateralspring support bar 4 with attached contact plate 5b and lateral springsupport bar 3 with attached contact plate 5a; the toggle finger 14 hasgears which interlock with a plate gear 7 which is fitted on the oneside to the non-conductive body 1 and on the other side it is centeredby a projection on the lateral spring support bar 4 frictionally fittinginto the plate gear depression 7a, an electrode 8b is frictionallyattached to the plate gear 7 and passes through the wall of the chamberin the non-conducting body 1 a portion entering said chamber (notshown); FIG. 4 shows the switch assembly in the on position with theconducting particles 11 in contact with the electrodes 8a, 8b. Electrode8:: passes through the wall of body 1 and is connected to conductiveplate 6a which in turn abuts against the lateral spring support bar 3which has a projection frictionally fitting into depression 712. Betweenelectrode 8a and electrode 8b there is a thin barrier 2a which is an arcsuppressor. FIG. 5 shows the electrically nonconducting body 1 which hasa double-ended hole forming chamber 9 which is covered by enclosing ring2 thereby preventing the loss of the mass of circuit closers which areconducting particulates 11 and are each uniformly spherical and in therange of 0.5 to 5.0 mm. in diameter. Electrode 8a is shown entering thechamber 9 and making contact with the conducting particulates 11 whileelectrode 8a is shown in a position rotated out of the conductingparticulates 11' thereby being in the ofi position. FIG. 5a shows thearc suppressor barrier 2a in a cross sectional view. It can be seen inFIGS. 1-5 inclusive that the toggle finger 14 will rotate the switchassembly so that the electrodes 8a and 8b are in the on position when incontact with the electrically conducting particulates 11 or in the offposition when not in contact with the conductive particulates 11'. Theswitch is assembled with an inert gas or a vacuum in the chamber 9 bymeans of suitable adhesives or glass-metal seals.

Another modified form of my switch is shown in FIG. 6 where the togglefinger 13 is attached to the retainer ring 12 which is fitted onto theclosure ring 2.. The lateral spring support bar 4 is in frictionalcontact with the conductive disc 6b to which is attached electrode 8d.The mounting strap 16a serves as an additional support for the assemblyand a guide for the rotary movement of the switch by toggle finger 13.FIG. 7 shows the toggle finger 13 which is held in place by a frictionalfit onto the retainer ring 12. The retainer ring 12 is fitted onto theclosure ring 2 which fits onto the electrically nonconductive body 1with the chamber 9 which contains a single electrically conductive ball10. Electrode 8d projects into the chamber 9, said electrode in thechamber having a socket shaped terminal. The electrode 8d passes throughthe wall of the chamber 9 and into the disc plate 6b to which it isattached thus securing the disc plate 6b in position against the sidewall of body 1. The lateral spring support bar '4 has a projection whichfits in the depression in the center of the disc plate 6b thus formingan electrical pathway from the electrode lid to the lateral springsupport bar 4. Likewise lateral spring support bar 3 frictionallyengages the disc plate 6a which rests against the body wall 1 and isattached to electrode which has a socket shaped terminal and projectsinto the chamber 9. FIG. 8 shows this modification of the switchassembly having a single conductive ball 16 in the chamber 9, said ball10 having its diameter slightly less than the diameter of the chamber 9into which the socket ended electrode 30 projects. The ring 2 enclosesthe body .1 so that both open ends of the chamber 9 are covered.Retainer ring 12 is press-fit into a slot in the toggle finger 13. FIG.9 shows this same embodiment of the switch in the on" position with thetoggle finger 13 rotated so that the metal ball 10 now is at rest incontact with the electrode 80. FIG. 10 shows the switch in the onposition for the purpose of tracing the flow of current from the contactplate 5a through lateral spring support bar 3 to disc plate 6:: intoelectrode 8c through conductive ball 10 into electrode 8d through discplate 6b through lateral spring support bar 4 to contact 5b. Yet anotherembodiment of my switch is seen in FIG. 11 which has a dished cup 20having a central depression and rim on its outer aspect and a bevel onits inner aspect, a non-conductive body 23 having a passageway partiallytherethrough with one opening forming a chamber 24, a non-conductivering 23a, multiple metal particulate conductive switching elements 11, ahandle ring H to which is attached toggle finger 18, and a dished cup awhich is constructed similarly as is cup 20 and are made of electricallyconductive metallic materials such as copper, steel, silver, aluminum.FIG. 12 shows the switch parts assembled with the particulate switchingelements resting in contact with the cup 20 and cup Zita, the switchthus being in the on position. Ring 23a serves as an insulator betweencup 26 and cup 20a. The body 23 is made of refractory electricallynon-conductive material and houses the switching elements 11 in thechamber 24. The handle ring 19 is of vitreous electricallynon-conductive material and is fusion-welded to cup 20 and cup 20a by amethod which will permit chamber 24 to be filled with an inert gas suchas argon; or to be evacuated and the switching elements thereby being ina vacuum chamber. FIG. 13 shows the switch parts of the embodiment ofFIG. 11 except that the particulate switching elements 11 have beenreplaced by the single conductive ball 10 which has a diameter slightlyless than the diameter of the chamber 24. FIG. 16 is yet anothermodification of my switch showing the shallow metal cups 60 injuxtaposition forming an enclosure, the refractory body 23 beinginterposed between the cups which have a socket portion to accept theconductive ball 10, a fiat surface to accommodate the insulating ring23a and a grooved end which permits a glass fusion-weld type sealbetween the two cups. A further modification of the electricallyconductive particulate switching elements 11 are shown in FIG. 17 wherea uniformly spherical particulate 70 is seen in the company of aspherical particulate with a single depression 71 and also in companywith a spherical particulate with double depressions 72 saidparticulates in company with each other will tend to cluster in groupsclosely nested so that the spherical portion of a particulate will fitinto the depression portion of another particulate, all particulateelements being in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 mm. in diameter. FIG. 18 showsan additional embodiment of my electrically conductive particulateswitching elements where cubes in the range of 015 to 5.0 mm. on eachside are used. FIG. 19 is yet another modification of my electricallyconductive switching elements where prism shaped particulates 74 in therange of 0.5 to 5.0 mm. on a side are used. In place of conductiveparticulates .11 or ball 10 other varieties of circuit closers such asmixtures of conductive particulates 7t), 71, 72 in ratios of 1:10 byweight can be used to obtain different operating characteristics.Similarly, conductive particulates 73 or 74 can be substituted in placeof conductive particulates 11 or ball 10. FIG. 14 shows yet anothermodification of my switch which relies upon the depression of a barelectrode 46 by the contact bar '43 which is an L-shaped form and isattached to the metallic lateral spring support bar 42. The electrodebar 46 is in a housing 44 which is made of electrically conductivematerial and is embedded in the non-conductive support block 41 having adepression on each side, toggle finger being attached to block 41. Theelectrode housing 44 abuts against the lateral spring support bar 4. Thespring 45 is inside the electrode housing 44- and provides compressionfor the electrode bar 46 which is held back by retainer blocks 47 whichprevent the electrode bar 46 from being ejected from the housing 44 whenthe switch is in the off position. FIG. 15 shows the switch in the offposition when the toggle finger is moved through are 49 and theelectrode 48 is adjacent to the contact bar 43. .When the toggle fingeris rotated over path 49 so that the toggle finger 50 is moved to theposition of toggle finger 40 then the electrode bar 48 will be rotatedto the position of electrode bar 46 which is in contact with the recessin the contact plate 43 and the switch is in the on position.

Having described my invention of a new, more effective and less costlyelectro-mechanical switch, it will be readily appreciated by one skilledin the art that by using various combinations of conductive particulatesit is possible to vary the surface area available for carrying currentand therefore it is possible to design a switch for low amperage loadsor for high amperage loads. Additionally, I have used interchangeableparts in the several modifications which lends itself to greaterversatility in manufacture and maintenance by reducing the variety ofparts to be used or kept in stock. It can be clearly seen that this newswitch has a greater range of operation in extremes of environmentaltemperatures, has a variable load limit and can be cheaply manufactured.

Modifications of this invention will occur to those skilled in this artand it is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed but that it is intendedto cover all modifications which are withn the true spirit and scope ofthis invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. An electro-rnechanical switch assembly comprised of a non-conductivecylindrical body, said body having an open passageway extending throughthe body forming a chamber which is approximately perpendicular to theaxis of the cylinder; a quantity of conductive particulate circuitclosers, said particulates being disposed in said chamber; a conductivemetallic circular disc plate having a depression at its center, saiddisc plate being fitted onto one fiat end surface of said cylindricalbody; a conductive metallic circular plate having on its side a gearwith a central depression, said gear plate being fitted onto the otherflat end surface of said cylindrical body; a nonconductive tubularclosure ring, said ring being fitted about the aforesaid assembledparts; a pair of conductive metallic electrodes, one electrode passingthrough said plate gear and said cylindrical body, said electrodeprojecting partly into said chamber, the other end of said electrodebeing frictionally attached to said plate gear; the second electrodepassing through said disc plate and said cylindrical body, saidelectrode projecting partly into said chamber, the other end of saidelectrode being frictionally attached to said disc plate, said pair ofelectrodes being so disposed that said electrodes are opposed but not incontact thereby forming a space between them; a non-conductive arcsuppressor barrier, said barrier passing through said closure ring andprojecting partially into said chamber and being disposed in the spacebetween said opposed electrodes; a pair of metallic lateral springsupport bars each having a central projection; a non-conductive housingcase having an aperture therein; said support bars being fitted intosaid case aperture and in opposition to each other but not in contact;the aforesaid assembled parts being fitted into said aperture and havingthe depression of said disc plate in frictional contact with theprojection of said support bar on one side and the depression on saidplate gear in frictional contact with the projection on said support baron the other side; said depressions and projections forming a jointthereby providing a stationary axis of rotation about 'which said switchassembly is adapted to be rotated while being mounted in said case toprohibit axial movement thereof; a non-conductive toggle finger having agear configuration at one end and a handle at the other end, said gearconfiguration being meshed with said gear plate; a mounting strap havinga central aperture, said mounting strap being fitted onto said case sothat said toggle finger handle projects through the aperture of saidmounting strap.

2. An electro-mechanical switch assembly comprised of a non-conductivecylindrical body, said body having an open passageway extending throughthe body forming a chamber which is approximately perpendicular to theaxis of the cylinder; a metallic conductive circuit closer ball having adiameter slightly less than the diameter of said chamber, said ballbeing disposed inside said chamber; a pair of conductive metalliccircular disc plates having a central depression, said disc plate beingfitted onto a flat end surface of said body, the other said disc platebeing fitted onto the opposing fiat end surface of said body; a pair ofelectrodes having a flat surface at one end and a socket shaped terminalat the other end, an electrode passing through said disc plate, saidcircular body, and having its socket shaped terminal projecting intosaid chamber, the fiat end being frictionally attached to said discplate; the other electrode passing through said opposed disc plate, saidbody wall and having its socket shaped terminal projecting into saidchamber being opposed but not in contact with the first electrodeproject ing therein, the fiat end of said second electrode beingfrictionally attached to said opposed disc plate; a non conductivetubular closure ring, said closure ring being fitted about the aforesaidassembled parts; a non-conductive retainer ring having a centrallylocated flange, said retainer ring being fitted about the aforesaidassembled parts; a pair of metallic lateral spring support bars eachhaving a central projection; a non-conductive housing case having anaperture therein, said support bars being fitted into said case apertureand in opposition to each other but not in contact, the aforesaidassembled parts are fitted into said aperture having the depression ofsaid disc plate in frictional contact with the projection of saidsupport bar on one side and the depression on said disc plate infrictional contact with the projection on said support bar on the otherside; said depressions and projections forming a joint thereby providinga stationary axis of rotation about which said switch assembly isadapted to be rotated while being mounted in said case to prohibit axialmovement thereof; a non-conductive toggle finger having a handle at oneend and a recess at the other end, said recess being frictionallyengaged with the flange of said retainer ring; a mounting strap having acentral aperture, said mounting strap being fitted onto said case sothat said toggle finger handle projects through the aperture of saidmounting strap.

3. An electro-mechanical switch assembly comprised of a pair of metallicconductive dished cups having a central depression and a rim on theirouter aspect and a bevel on their inner aspect; a non-conductivecylindrical body said body having an open passageway extending partiallythrough the body forming a chamber which is approximately perpendicularto the axis of the cylinder, said body being fitted into the dishedportion of the first of said cups, a quantity of conductive particulatecircuit closers, said particulates being disposed in said chamber; aninsulation ring, said ring being fitted about said body; a vitreousfusion ring, said fusion ring being fitted about the aforesaid cup andso disposed that the outer rim of said cup abuts against the edge ofsaid fusion ring; a second said cup being fitted onto said body so thatits inner edge is in contact with said insulation ring and the outer rimof said cup abuts against the other edge of said fusion ring; anon-conductive toggle finger, said toggle finger being attached to saidfusion ring; a pair of metallic lateral spring support bars each havinga central projection; a non-conductive housing case having an aperturetherein, said support bars being fitted into said case aperture and inopposition to each other but not in contact; the aforesaid assembledparts are fitted into said aperture having the depression of said cup infrictional contact with the projection of said support bar on one sideand the depression on the second cup in frictional contact with theprojection on the opposite said support bar; said de pressions andprojections forming a joint thereby providing a stationary axis ofrotation about which said switch assembly is adapted to be rotated whilebeing mounted in said case to prohibit axial movement thereof; amounting strap having a central aperture, said mounting strap beingfitted onto said case so that said toggle finger projects through theaperture of said mounting strap.

4. An electro-mechanical switch assembly comprised of a pair of metallicconductive dished cups having a central depression on their outer aspectand on their edge a socket portion, a flat portion and a groovedportion; a non-conductive cylindrical body said body having an openpassageway extending partially through the body forming a chamber whichis approximately perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, said bodybeing fitted into the dished portion of the first of said cups; acircuit closer being comprised of a single electrically conductivemetallic ball having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of saidchamber, said ball being disposed in said chamber; an insulation ring,said ring being fitted about said body and so disposed as to be incontact with the fiat portion of the first said cup; the second said cupbeing fitted onto said body so that the first and second cups areopposed, the fiat portion of said second cup abutting against theexposed surface of said insulation ring; a quantity of vitreous fusionsubstance, said vitreous material completely filling the grooves of saidopposed pair of cups; a pair of metallic lateral spring support barseach having a central projection; a nonconductive housing case having anaperture therein, said support bars being fitted into said case apertureand in opposition to each other but not in contact, the aforesaidassembled parts are fitted into said aperture having the depression ofthe first said cup in frictional contact with the projection of saidsupport bar on one side and the depression on the second said cup infrictional contact with the projection on said support bar on theopposite side; said depressions and projections forming a joint therebyproviding a stationary axis of rotation about which said switch assemblyis adapted to be rotated while being mounted in said case to prohibitaxial movement thereof; a non-conductive toggle finger having a handleat one end and a recess at the other end, said recess being frictionallyengaged with the grooved portions of said pair of cups; a mounting straphaving a central aperture, said mounting strap being fitted onto saidcase so that said toggle finger handle projects through the aperture ofsaid mounting strap.

5. An electro-mechanical switch assembly comprised of an electrode barhaving a thicker central portion, a round end and a fiat end; a metallicspring, said spring being fitted onto the flat end of said electrode; asingle opening metallic electrode housing, said fiat end electrode withspring being disposed inside said housing, said electrode having itsthickened central portion in slding contact with the walls of saidhousing, the rounded end of said electrode projecting partially from theopening of said housing; a pair of retaining brackets, said bracketsfitted onto the opening of said housing; a non-conductive support blockhaving an off-center open passageway partially therethrough, a centralopening communicating with said passageway and a central depression onthe side opposite said central opening, said housing being fitted intosaid passageway; a metallic lateral spring support bar with a centrallylocated projection, a second metallic lateral spring support bar withcentrally located projection having another central attachment to an L-shaped metallic form having a contact recess at its end, anon-conductive housing case having an aperture therein, said supportbars being fitted into said case aperture and in opposition to eachother but not in contact, the aforesaid assembled parts are fitted intosaid case aperture having the depression of the metallic lateral springsupport bar fitted into the central opening thereby being in contactwith the wall of said metallic housing; the projection of the supportbar with L-shaped form is in frictional contact with the centraldepression of said block, said depression and projection and opening andprojection forming joints thereby providing a stationary axis ofrotation about which said switch assembly is adapted to be rotated whilebeing mounted in said case to prohibit axial movement thereof; anon-conductive toggle finger, said toggle finger being attached to saidblock;

7 a mounting strap having a central aperture, said mounting strap beingfitted onto said case so that said toggle finger projects through theaperture of said mounting strap.

Sambleson Jan. 3, 1939 Hobbs Jan. 14, 1941 8 Jones Dec. 25, 1951 HubbardJune 17, 1952 SaXl Aug. 24, 1954 I-Iesh -2 July 23, 1957 Kalafsky July15, 1958 Ovshinsky Feb. 14, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 2,1920 Great Britain Sept. 17, 1958

4. AN ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF METALLICCONDUCTIVE DISHED CUPS HAVING A CENTRAL DEPRESSION ON THEIR OUTER ASPECTAND ON THEIR EDGE A SOCKET PORTION, A FLAT PORTION AND A GROOVEDPORTION; A NON-CONDUCTIVE CYLINDRICAL BODY SAID BODY HAVING AN OPENPASSAGEWAY EXTENDING PARTIALLY THROUGH THE BODY FORMING A CHAMBER WHICHIS APPROXIMATELY PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF THE CYLINDER, SAID BODYBEING FITTED INTO THE DISHED PORTION OF THE FIRST OF SAID CUPS; ACIRCUIT CLOSER BEING COMPRISED OF A SINGLE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVEMETALLIC BALL HAVING A DIAMETER SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAIDCHAMBER, SAID BALL BEING DISPOSED IN SAID CHAMBER; AN INSULATION RING,SAID RING BEING FITTED ABOUT SAID BODY AND SO DISPOSED AS TO BE INCONTACT WITH THE FLAT PORTION OF THE FIRST SAID CUP; THE SECOND SAID CUPBEING FITTED ONTO SAID BODY SO THAT THE FIRST AND SECOND CUPS AREOPPOSED, THE FLAT PORTION OF SAID SECOND CUP ABUTTING AGAINST THEEXPOSED SURFACE OF SAID INSULATION RING; A QUANTITY OF VITREOUS FUSIONSUBSTANCE, SAID VITREOUS MATERIAL COMPLETELY FILLING THE GROOVES OF SAIDOPPOSED PAIR OF CUPS; A PAIR OF METALLIC LATERAL SPRING SUPPORT BARSEACH HAVING A CENTRAL PROJECTION; A NONCONDUCTIVE HOUSING CASE HAVING ANAPERTURE THEREIN, SAID SUPPORT BARS BEING FITTED INTO SAID CASE APERTUREAND IN OPPOSITION TO EACH OTHER BUT NOT IN CONTACT, THE AFORESAIDASSEMBLED PARTS ARE FITTED INTO SAID APERTURE HAVING THE DEPRESSION OFTHE FIRST SAID CUP IN FRICTIONAL CONTACT WITH THE PROJECTION ON SAIDSUPPORT BAR ON ONE SIDE AND THE DEPRESSION ON THE SECOND SAID CUP INFRICTIONAL CONTACT WITH THE PROJECTION ON SAID SUPPORT BAR ON THEOPPOSITE SIDE; SAID DEPRESSIONS AND PROJECTIONS FORMING A JOINT THEREBYPROVIDING A STATIONARY AXIS OF ROTATION ABOUT WHICH SAID SWITCH ASSEMBLYIS ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED WHILE BEING MOUNTED IN SAID CASE TO PROHIBITAXIAL MOVEMENT THEREOF; A NON-CONDUCTIVE TOGGLE FINGER HAVING A HANDLEAT ONE END AND A RECESS AT THE OTHER END, SAID RECESS BEING FRICTIONALLYENGAGED WITH THE GROOVED PORTIONS OF SAID PAIR OF CUPS; A MOUNTING STRAPHAVING A CENTRAL APERTURE, SAID MOUNTING STRAP BEING FITTED ONTO SAIDCASE SO THAT SAID TOGGLE FINGER HANDLE PROJECTS THROUGH THE APERTURE OFSAID MOUNTING STRAP.